SEVERAL cases of identity theft were recently reported, and Grace (not her real name), is one of those victimized.
The 20-year-old Grace said a dummy Facebook and Twitter account user bearing her name and photos had been bugging her, threatening her that more offensive photos and videos of her and her boyfriend will be uploaded.
Grace has also received sexual threats from the dummy account user.
Grace has no idea where the fake account user got her photos and videos, some of which were edited.
She is the eighth victim who turned to Cebu City Councilor Dave Tumulak for help.
Tumulak said since late October, he has received reports of online identity theft and online extortion cases.
Tumulak said aside from threats of uploading offensive photos and videos, some fake account users also upload screenshots of manipulated offensive conversations.
Tumulak has endorsed all the reports he received to the Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) which is in charge of handling such cases.
Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella will also request the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to investigate and look closely on identity theft cases.
Tumulak, though, told the media that even the ACG personnel admitted they are having a hard time locating the users since some of the fake accounts suddenly disappear.
He said the authorities have tapped private technical experts to help them solve these cases.
He urged the public, especially the social media users, to limit the information they post online, avoid posting photos inside and outside their residences and constantly change their account password and profile pictures. (JJL)